VINTAGE—1st Year—1957—BETTER BARGAIN Betsy McCall—LOVELY Doll—TLC (READ FIRST!)

Description

The .99 beginning bid is NOT a reflection of this doll’s condition!  I am listing ALL of my Betsy doll auctions--the GOOD dolls, BETTER dolls and the BEST dolls--with a beginning bid of 99 cents.
This auction is for one of the VERY, VERY GOOD BETSY (and LOVELY) dolls.
HAVE FUN!
Soon I will be listing another vintage 8” Betsy auction.  See her in my Seller’s List:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/antiq45/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
5 day auction—
This is one of the sweetest 8” Betsy Mc Call dolls that I have seen in a long time.  This doll was made only in 1957—the first year of this doll’s production.  Her mesh wig cap and plastic peg knee hinges indicate that she was a 1957 American Character Betsy doll because that is the only year these two features were used.  She is looking for a new home and is clean and ready to play or display.  This is a vintage Betsy McCall repaired into a complete doll with all original parts.
You will find that I am very ‘picky’ in my description.
Please read the complete description BEFORE you bid because she is not ‘mint’.   She is a lovely doll with issues that are common to these half-century-old girls.  I feel the issue in
black italics
below goes a little beyond those normally found on these vintage dolls.  However, the issue is balanced by her other Excellent qualities which have kept her from becoming one of my ‘Bargain Betsy’ dolls.  I believe that she will be one of your prettiest display dolls if you are a beginning or intermediate-level collector wanting an inexpensive doll to show off one of the many outfits that were made for this popular doll. She would also thrill your child or grandchild as a playmate and be an opportunity to learn how to cherish a piece of the past as they ‘play’ with you.
I have discovered that monitors may show pictures differently than those posted from the Seller's computer—even the tilt of the monitor makes a difference.  Therefore, you can rely on the description to be a very good indication of the condition of this Betsy and use the pictures as a support, realizing that the coloring of this doll may be different than you see on your monitor.
NOTE:  The picture of the side of her facing looking to the left just did not come out right--something was wrong with the lighting when I was taking that shot.  There is nothing wrong with that side, or and part, of her face.
Betsy’s positive points:
-- SHINY, CURLY, darkish BLOND HAIR sewn to a wig mesh base (only used on 1
st
year dolls) with BOTH ORIGINAL BARRETTES and NO BALD SPOTS.  The wig looks like it is in its Original Set with large curls and very few hairs out of place.
-- BISQUE-LIKE look and pretty face coloring with NO CHEEK RUBS in the soft blush nor other missing facial features
-- lovely BLUE eyes with perfect upper lashes and LONG, BLACK LASHES as were often painted on 1
st
year dolls
-- arms are on original rubber band, not loose, and will hold poses nicely  (A little band has been added inside of the original to help it hold snugly.)
-- NO OPEN SEAMS
-- NO KNEE CRACKS OR OPEN SEAMS
-- 1
st
year plastic knee pegs still present and not broken
-- knees bend easily and hold poses well
-- knees bend easily; both knees
hold only the 90 degree (kneeling) pose
NOTE:  I am not listing the swingy lower legs under the ‘Not-So-Positive’ section because I feel that this is caused by the character of the mechanism and the passage of time, not by abuse.
-- clean, light PINKY BEIGE skin hue overall— not darkened or yellowed by exposure to bad environmental effects
-- NO STAINS
-- no thin dark crack/stress lines on the lower legs which is often seen on these vintage dolls
-- McCall mark in a circle on her back
-- I have not forced her to sit.  However, a very helpful Betsy collector has shared a U-Tube video with me that shows how to safely make your Betsy doll sit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DF5FM0rHaM
-- Her legs are stable enough to allow her to STAND EASILY ON HER OWN with very little, careful positioning of her arms and legs (a little swingy as are most).  She will still need a stand for safe display.
Not-so-positive points:
(I am being very, very nit-picky about things that some other Sellers wouldn't have bothered listing and which may have gone unnoticed without my mentioning them.  I do not believe that they take from her loveliness, nor her collect ability.)
-- eyes need help opening and closing (not a bad thing—I just wanted to mention it)
--
All but the lower 2/3 of this doll’s torso, the upper hip ends of the legs and feet are lighter
because they were exposed to light over the years—the pinker parts of her were covered by clothing and probably can give you an idea of her original coloring.  You will also find that the feet and ankles are also pinker because the shoes and ankle straps protected the feet from fading over time.
-- head has been reattached with elastic cording—It is not really a downside because many times a head that is reattached (elastic cording is all that you can get back up in there) is much sturdier than one with an original band that has loosened with age which makes the head ‘floppy’.  However, a head without a sturdy original band might be of concern to a ‘purist’ collector.  I want to be up-front with my customers so that they are not disappointed with what they purchase—a lovely, pre-loved Betsy!
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These items came to me through e-bay purchases.  I have a smoke free home and I do not smell unpleasant odors on them, but I cannot guarantee what environment they came from.  In my opinion, this beautiful girl will make an excellent addition to your collection.
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I do combine shipment on multiple wins of my other auctions to save on shipping. Please e-mail any questions before you bid.  Cost of purchase less shipping will be refunded if item is shown to be not as described.  Buyer must contact seller within 2 days of receiving item and before item is shipped back.  Selling price refund AFTER item has been received in the same condition it was sent.  No refunds on shipping. Please keep this in mind when bidding.
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Feedback- I appreciate your feedback, and will leave feedback for you as soon as yours is received…thanks!
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If you would like shipping coverage, please ask before you pay.  The U.S. buyer pays for First Class or Priority Mail shipping--see ‘Postage Calculator’ in this ad.  I do not add a handling fee and want to state that I recycle my mailing materials.  I will
try
to mail USA packages within 1 working day.
NOTE:
Depending on what state you live in, eBay may be required to collect sales tax in addition to the auction price and shipping price.
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Payment is due within THREE days of auction end.
Thanks for looking--and bidding!
:-)